"As the economy causes belt tightening in the business world, state government
is enhancing employee training to achieve greater efficiencies in operations
and to enhance our visitor's experience," said DCR State Parks Director
Joe Elton. "Sending our business, retail and food service managers through
this rigorous program gives us another tool to make our parks better."

The four-day program includes 25 hours of instruction with extensive emphasis
on topics essential to a concession manager, including planning, cost-control
systems, menu planning and event planning.

More than 500 industry professionals have been certified through this program,
which is based on the curriculum at the School of Hospitality Management at
Florida International University in Miami, and the School of Human Sciences
Department of Nutrition and Food Science at Auburn University in Alabama.

"After completing this program, our people are now among the industry's
elite," Elton said. "More state parks staff will receive this training
in the future. Eventually, all of our retail and food service managers will
achieve this new level of excellence."

Virginia State Parks, managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and
Recreation, are on the cutting edge of effective concessions management.

"Our visitors deserve the best park experience possible," Elton said,
"and one way we can make their time with us more enjoyable is to give our
staff the best training available."